Hughey wins state title, Wildcats take 6th as a team at state

Six minutes. For all the blood, sweat and hard work put in the off season, the pain endured through all the matches accumulated, all for six minutes to decide if you are to be named champion.

A year after claiming runner up at 138 lbs. at the state tournament senior Austin Hughey realized his dream and claimed the status of state champion at 145 lbs. in Salina on Saturday.

“Taking second last year really motivated me to work harder to be on top, and this year Wes really pushed us and without him we probably would not have done any of this,” said state champion Austin Hughey.

In the championship match Hughey won by a major decision defeating Patrick Weaver of Hugoton (32-5) 9-1.

“It is the best feeling,” said a joyous Hughey, “I am really happy right now because this is what I have worked for my whole life and I finally got it done.”

Hughey finished and impressive season finishing with a 26-2 record in his final season for the Wildcats.

“These kids leave a huge legacy for Wildcat wrestling, between Kyle (Macy), Bryce (Morgan) and Austin all of the have over one hundred career wins, watching them go from freshmen to seniors has been awesome, to see them grow in their work ethic and become the leaders as juniors and seniors to push this program a long has been a privilege,” said El Dorado head coach Wes Reynolds.

El Dorado senior Bryce Morgan made it to the finals in the 126 lbs. weight division and fought hard for all three rounds and lost to Dustin Reed of Colby (47-0) by a 7-3 decision. Morgan caps an impressive senior campaign with a 37-2 record for the Wildcats.

“As a senior to be a part of this team was amazing, we all work hard and wrestle with our hearts and everytime we come off the mat we know we left everything on it,” said senior Bryce Morgan.

Also reaching the finals was younger brother of Austin Hughey and freshman Reno Hughey.

Hughey had a tremendous run to the final and as a freshman was seemingly overlooked. Hughey took Pratt’s Cesar Regalado to the max but came up short in the match as Hughey was disqualified late in the third round due to penalties.

“It feels good but without my brother and my coaches I would have never made it this far, I was a little nervous but I wrestled as hard as I could and did my best,” said freshman Reno Hughey.

The Wildcats as a team finished sixth overall with 78 points behind only LaCygne-Prairie View, Bonner Springs, Andale, Colby and Holton.

Page 2 of 3 - “To put into words it has been the best ride ever, to bring back El Dorado wrestling and to have it go the way it went and to accomplish what we accomplished, our goal was a state title, but I am so proud of these kids and I love each and everyone of them,” said Reynolds.

The Wildcats wrestling season was a historic one. For the first time in school history the El Dorado grapplers claimed a league title and regional title to go with their individual state champion.

“It has been a fun four years with all the seniors that are going to be leaving, I hate to see them go but it is a start to a new chapter in El Dorado wrestling, with the senior coming back next year hopefully we can keep this program going,” said Reynolds.

Senior Kyle Macy finished an impressive career going 34-9 this season. Senior Cole Reinhardt was 26-17 this season and earned his first ever state berth. Senior Marcus Walker was 28-16 and earned back to back state berths for the Wildcats in his junior and senior years.

“It has been a great ride for these kids and it has been a privilege to be apart of it and be able to chase our dreams,” said Reynolds.